Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Theresa Gaffney
Published on 2024-02-21 22:00:35
New research from Germany has raised the possibility of a cure for autoimmune disorders using a cancer treatment called CAR-T therapy. Typically, people with autoimmune disorders manage their symptoms and hope for periods of remission, but not a lasting solution for their immune system’s attack on healthy cells. However, findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggest that CAR-T therapy may be the key to eliminating or reducing symptoms in autoimmune disorders.
The study, conducted by researchers in Germany, focused on 15 patients with lupus, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), and idiopathic inflammatory myositis. Patients were given a single infusion of CAR-T cells designed to target B cells, which play a crucial role in autoimmunity.
Results showed that lupus patients experienced no relapses for up to two years after treatment, myositis and sclerosis patients saw significant reductions in their symptoms after three to six months, and sometimes up to a year. This groundbreaking discovery demonstrated that CAR-T therapy has the potential to significantly improve the lives of those with autoimmune disorders.
One of the more compelling cases was a 42-year-old man with myositis who was having difficulty standing and walking. After the treatment, he was able to walk six miles to work each day. This dramatic change in his condition is a testament to the success of CAR-T therapy.
Previous monoclonal antibody therapies, which targeted B cells using a protein called CD20, have not been as effective as CAR-T therapy. The CAR-T cells, which targeted B cells using a different protein called CD19, were shown to be more effective at reducing symptoms and disease biomarkers. Researchers are still unsure why this approach is more successful, but evidence suggests that CAR-T cells have better access to target tissues and can provide a more thorough depletion of B cells than monoclonal antibodies.
Critically, patients did not lose immunity to diseases they had previously been vaccinated against, indicating that the CAR-T therapy was not only effective but also safe.
While more research and longer-term follow-up are needed, the potential for CAR-T therapy as a game-changing treatment for autoimmune disorders is promising. Researchers are hopeful that this therapy will provide long-term relief for those suffering from these conditions, potentially offering a cure for a disease that has previously had no lasting solution. As the technology continues to advance, larger groups of patients are being followed to investigate the long-term benefits of CAR-T therapy.
The success of this study is paving the way for a future where autoimmune disorders can be effectively treated, providing hope to patients who have lived with these debilitating conditions for years. Although further research is still necessary, the results thus far indicate that CAR-T therapy has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of autoimmune disorders. It’s exciting to see the progress researchers have made and the possibilities that lie ahead for those living with these conditions.
